A new body of work by Junyi Liu is being highlighted during an online solo exhibition on Artsy this summer, hosted by 33 Contemporary and PoetsArtists. Paintings within the show, titled Scarlet Reckoning,present whimsical and theatrical scenes featuring traditionally beautiful young women in dresses reminiscent of Victorian dolls. Accompanying these women are the archetypal handsome princes and counts. While the pieces feel vaguely like illustrations out of the fairytales of old, they’re actually quite different the moment you ponder them more closely.
The Feast Is Served, oil on canvas, 18 x 40"
“The men, who thought they had everything under control, did not realize the seeds of their downfall were already planted before they even stepped on stage,” says Liu. In Victory of the Hunted, an almost cherubic girl in a crimson dress, brandishing a knife, stands over two figures sprawled across the floor. The Feast Is Served features a young female looking at her unconscious dining partner with what nearly appears to be adoration, if not for the glass of red wine spilled across the table—clearly indicative of ulterior motives.
Victory of the Hunted, oil on canvas, 40 x 30"
“Since womens’ hope for justice and retribution is rarely fulfilled in real life, imaginations give them a chance to shake up power dynamics,” Liu reflects. “Fairytales play a role in women’s upbringing, shaping their understanding of gender roles from an early age. Reimagining fairytales is an attempt to have control over the narratives, bringing power back to themselves. But at the same time, being fairytales—despite the alterations—the stories don’t possess much power, if any, in the real world. Like a dream with beautiful aesthetics and exciting story lines, these fairytales could be halted abruptly.”
A part of Liu’s symbolic storytelling is the dichotomy between white and crimson red. “The white color,” she says, “represents the seemingly innocent and pure qualities of the female characters. It also signifies the otherworldly and divine quality they possess, as they take charge of the direction of the stories and bring about the mens’ redemption. The red curtains and carpet create a stage-like atmosphere, bringing a sense of drama and spectacle. The luxurious setting matches the romantic tone of a fairytale. The color red also suggests violence, which appears at the end of each story. Together, these two colors create interesting contrast both visually and symbolically.”
Off the Stage, oil on canvas, 24 x 24"
Didi Menendez of 33 Contemporary comments that Liu’s new show is an extension of her solo show from last year, adding that “the color scheme is bolder and her work is more defiant. She is exploring and bringing to light darker themes, which have been more subdued in previous paintings.” —
33 Contemporary Zhou B Art Center, 4th Floor • 1029 W. 25th Street • Chicago, IL 60609 • (708) 837-4534 www.33contemporary.com • www.poetsandartists.com
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